Libraries to offer programs on e-readers

The Talent and Medford library branches will have free presentations this month on how to use electronic reader devices to download books.

The Talent and Medford library branches will have free presentations this month on how to use electronic reader devices to download books.

The Need 2 Know program will be presented from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Talent library, 101 Home St., Talent. The presentation will repeat the following week from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 18, at the Medford library, 205 S. Central Ave., Medford.

The programs will teach an overview of Library2Go. There will be time for questions and one-on-one assistance.

Ashland Police Deputy Chief Corey Falls has been selected as one of 30 law enforcement officials in the U.S. to participate in a leadership conference devoted to combatting violence against women, according to a news release.

Falls will attend the 16th National Law Enforcement Leadership Institute on Violence Against Women Sept. 9-12 in Savannah, Ga.

Agency performance will also be assessed, along with a discussion on the challenges of investigating crimes related to women.

Residents can build three-day emergency survival kits valued at more than $30 each for only $5 during "Ashland is Ready" workshops planned Saturday in Ashland.

They can also learn about Ashland's service that calls residents to alert them to emergencies, and hear about local disaster risks such as fires, floods and earthquakes. (Clarification: This story has been updated to remove a trademarked name of the service.)

Two identical workshop sessions are planned Saturday at the Historic Ashland Armory, 208 Oak St.

The first runs from 8 a.m. until noon, and the second lasts from 1 to 5 p.m.

Residents will build kits that they can take home. The kits will include supplies such as water, a first-aid kit, food bars, a flashlight, a distress banner, towelettes and tissues, a survival blanket, a whistle, a waterproof poncho, a dust mask and an emergency guide.

Sponsorships have allowed the cost of the emergency kits to be brought down to $5 each for residents, said Fire Chief John Karns.

Ashland has been hit with disasters in the past, including a 1997 flood that disabled the town's water system and the 2010 Oak Knoll fire that destroyed homes and forced an evacuation in southeast Ashland.

To register for a workshop, visit Ashland Fire Station No. 1 near the intersection of Main Street, Lithia Way and Siskiyou Boulevard across from the Ashland Public Library, or call 541-482-2770.

The Ashland High School water polo team will hold a yard sale Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 7-8, in the old Lincoln Elementary School back parking lot, 320 Beach St., Ashland.

Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday. Proceeds will help the team with equipment and the cost of renting Southern Oregon University's pool to practice.